27 October 2011

Lemon Power

I love lemons and firmly believe there should be a lemon tree in every backyard because they are such a useful fruit. As well as making lovely cordial and teas, they can be used in salad dressings, sauces, baking, marmalades, they can be preserved and used as an ingredient in cooking and thousands of other recipes.

Lemons can be frozen very effectively so that you always have this very handy fruit on hand. The zest of un-waxed lemons can be grated and frozen in small containers, and the juice can be frozen separately in ice cube trays. Un-waxed lemons can be sliced and frozen for use in cold drinks. I slice the lemons medium thick, then cut the slices in half and flash freeze on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Once they are frozen you can place in a freezer bag or container and store them in the freezer. Pop them frozen in a glass and you have instant “ice and a slice” garnish for your lemonade or ice tea!

Lemons really are incredibly versatile in the kitchen, but they are not just for cooking and eating. A leftover half lemon placed in the cutlery tray of your dishwasher during the load freshens and makes your dishes sparkle. If you have been chopping something smelly like garlic, rub some lemon over your hands before washing them in warm, soapy water for hands without any lingering traces of odour. They are also good for softening and whitening elbows. It's very old fashioned but effective - just sit each elbow in a leftover lemon half, then wash and pat dry. Your elbows will be soft, smooth and white. Of course, don’t do this if you have any hangnails or broken skin – ouch! Lemon can also be used to freshen chopping boards before washing in warm, soapy water too. And if you are washing dishes by hand, a few slices of lemon in the washing water really helps cut grease and make the dishes sparkle. Sprinkle salt over rust stains and saturate with lemon juice then leave in the sun to dry, the rust stain will disappear (test the item for colourfastness before you do this or you may remove the rust stain and the colour from the fabric).

These are just a few ideas for using lemons, I'm sure you'll find many more uses for this wonderfully versatile fruit.

1 comment:

Hi I have a lemon tree and always cut one in half and put it in the dishwasher when I put in a load of dishes. Unfortunately the lemon pips eventually clogged up my filter. Not the one you take out and rinse but the one under that. Now I take out any pips I see, before I put the lemon in.

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